Work Platform For Vehicle

ABSTRACT

One embodiment of a work platform for a vehicle may include a support structure. The support structure may include an elongated hollow member configured by a plurality of hollow sections spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of connecting members extending from the plurality of hollow sections. The work platform may also include a plurality of pins, each having an annular head and a tail extending from the annular head. The plurality of pins may be received between the plurality of hollow sections for allowing the annular head of the plurality of pins to conform with the plurality of hollow sections of the elongated hollow member. The work platform may further include a shaft adapted to be received through the conformed annular heads and the plurality of hollow sections. Further, the work platform may include a plate member carried by the plurality of connecting members of the support structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application. No. 61/153,737 filed on Feb. 19, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to work platforms, and, more particularly to a work platform for a vehicle, such as a cargo vehicle or a pickup truck.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The use of vehicles, such as cargo vehicles or pickup trucks, by professionals, such as carpenters, plumbers, and drafters, is well known. Generally, these professionals need a stable and a flat work surface, such as a table, when working in an outdoor work site.

The need for a stable and the flat work surface may compel the professionals to use a tailgate or a bed of the vehicle. However, the tailgates and the beds of the vehicles are not designed and constructed for such usages. Specifically, tailgates and truck beds are generally small in size and may include hinges and straps used for mounting of the tailgates to the rear portion of the vehicle. These factors may limit and/or obstruct use of the tailgates as work surface. Further, tailgates and beds of the vehicles do not necessarily provide a flat surface and may be difficult to maneuver or move into a desired orientation. Moreover, the tailgates and the beds of the vehicles may not permit attachment thereto or placement thereon of tools and clamps which may be employed at a work site. Accordingly, the professionals may have to carry tables, stands, platforms, or other devices with them for use as work surfaces. However, carrying such devices in a vehicle may occupy a substantial proportion of the bed area of the vehicle, which may cause difficulty in carrying something else in the vehicle. Further, the use of the tables or similar devices at work site may not be convenient because the tables need to be unloaded from the vehicle and set on the ground for use, and after the use the tables need to be folded and loaded back into the vehicle. The loading and unloading of the tables may be a time consuming and cumbersome task.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a work platform for a vehicle may include a support structure. The support structure may include an elongated hollow member configured as a plurality of aligned hollow sections spaced apart from each other. The support structure may also include a plurality of connecting members extending from the plurality of hollow sections. The work platform may also include a plurality of pins. Each pin of the plurality of pins may include an annular head and a tail extending from the annular head. Each pin hollow head may be received between and aligned with a pair of hollow sections of the plurality of hollow sections for allowing the annular head of the each pin of the plurality of pins to conform with the plurality of hollow sections of the elongated hollow member. The work platform may further include a shaft adapted to be received through the conformed annular head of the each pin of the plurality of pins and also through the plurality of hollow sections of the elongated hollow member. Further, the work platform may include a plate member carried by the plurality of connecting members. The tail of the each pin of the plurality of pins may be adapted to be carried by a side wall of a bed of the vehicle for mounting the support structure with the shaft on the side wall of the vehicle. The support structure may be capable of being pivotally moved about the shaft to attain an open configuration of the work platform and a closed configuration of the work platform. The plate member in the open configuration of the work platform may provide a work surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a work platform in an unassembled state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the work platform of FIG. 1 in an assembled state;

FIG. 3 is a sectional perspective view of a portion of a support structure and a pin along with a shaft of the work platform of FIG. 1 in the unassembled state;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the support structure, a plurality of pins, and the shaft of the work platform of FIG. 1 in the assembled state, in which the support structure is locked;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the support structure, the plurality of pins, and the shaft of the work platform of FIG. 1 in the assembled state, in which the support structure is unlocked;

FIG. 6 shows an environment in which the work platform of FIG. 1 is adapted to be mounted on a vehicle;

FIG. 7 shows an environment in which the work platform of FIG. 1 is mounted on the vehicle; and

FIG. 8 shows an environment in which the work platform of FIG. 1 is utilized.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in structure and design. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to a particular work platform for a vehicle as shown and described. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The terms, “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, elevation or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element with another. Further, the terms, “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The present disclosure describes various embodiments of a work platform for a vehicle, such as a cargo vehicle or a pickup truck. The work platform may be capable of being conveniently mounted on a side wall of a bed of the vehicle for providing a stable and a flat work surface. The work surface may be used by an individual for doing a plurality of tasks.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a work platform 10 may include a support structure 100. The support structure 100 may include an elongated hollow member 110. The elongated hollow member 110 may be configured as a plurality of hollow sections, such as hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118, aligned with and spaced apart from each other. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongated hollow member 110, particularly, the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118, is a circular elongated hollow structure (hollow cylinder). However, the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118, may form cavities having oval, polygonal, or any other suitable cross-sectional shapes, and may be aligned with each other to form an elongated structure having a corresponding cross-sectional shape.

The support structure 100 may also include a plurality of connecting members, such as connecting members 120 and 130. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support structure 100 includes two connecting members 120 and 130. However, the support structure 100 may include a greater or lesser number of connecting members depending on the number of hollow sections incorporated into hollow member 110. The connecting members 120 and 130 may extend from the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118. Specifically, each of the connecting members 120 and 130 may include a pair of first branches, with each branch extending from one of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118. For example, the connecting member 120 may include a pair of first branches 122 and 124 which may extend from the hollow sections 112 and 114, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2. Similarly, the connecting member 130 may include a pair of first branches 132 and 134 which may extend from the hollow sections 116 and 118, respectively.

The connecting member 120 may also include a pair of second branches 126 and 128 formed integral with or otherwise attached to the pair of first branches 122 and 124 for configuring a K-shaped structure. Similarly, the connecting member 130 may also include a pair of second branches 136 and 138 formed integral with or otherwise attached to the pair of first branches 132 and 134 for configuring a K-shaped structure. Alternatively, the connecting members 120 and 130 may be configured to have a Y-shaped structure. For example, a connecting member may include the pair of first branches 122 and 124, adapted to extend from the hollow sections 112 and 114, respectively, and one second branch, such as the second branch 126, extending from each one of first branches 122 and 124 for configuring the Y-shaped structure. The connecting member 130 may also have a similar Y-shaped structure. Alternatively, the support structure 100 may include a plurality of connecting members based on the number of the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118, as previously described, and each connecting member may be configured to have I-shaped structure, with a single branch extending from each of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the connecting members 120 and 130 may be attached to or formed integrally with the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118. Specifically, the pair of first branches 122 and 124 of the connecting member 120 may be welded to or molded integrally with the hollow sections 112 and 114, respectively. Similarly, the pair of first branches 132 and 134 of the connecting member 130 may be welded to or molded integrally with the hollow sections 116 and 118, respectively. Therefore, the connecting members 120 and 130, and the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118 may be made of metal which may be welded, formed, cast, or otherwise processed to form the desired configuration. Alternatively, the connecting members 120 and 130, and the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118 may be made of a polymer material which may be molded to provide the desired configuration.

The work platform 10 may also include a plurality of pins, such as pins 210, 220, and 230. In the present embodiment, the work platform 10 may include three pins 210, 220, and 230. However, based on a number of the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118, the work platform 10 may include a greater or lesser number of pins. Each pin of the plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230 may include an annular head. Further, each pin of the plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230 may include an associated tail extending from a respective annular head. Specifically, the plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230 may include tails 214, 224 and 234 extending from the annular heads 212, 222, and 232, respectively. In the present embodiment, each of the tails 214, 224 and 234 may have an elongated structure with pointed end portions.

The annular heads 212, 222, and 232 and their associated plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230, respectively, may be received between the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116 and 118, and spaced apart from each other. Specifically, the annular heads 212, 222, and 232 of the plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230 may be aligned with and positioned between adjacent ones of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118, as shown in FIG. 2.

The work platform 10 may further include a shaft 300. The shaft 300 may include end portions 302 and 304. The shaft 300 may also include an outer surface 306 and lateral surfaces 308 and 310. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the shaft 300 has an elongated cylindrical structure: However, the shaft 300 may alternatively have an oval or a polygonal elongated structure, conforming to the shape of the longitudinal cavity defined by internal walls of the elongated hollow member 110. The shaft 300 may be received through the plurality of hollow sections 112, 114, 116, and 118, and through the annular heads 212, 222, and 232 of the plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230, as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, the elements 112, 210, 114, 220, 118, 230, and 116 of the support structure 100, may be capable of being pivotally moved about the shaft 300 when the plurality of pins 210, 220, and 230 are rigidly secured to a structure, as described in greater detail below.

Thus, the embodiments of the work platform described herein enable the support structure 100 to be rotated about shaft 300 and with respect to stationary pins 210, 220, and 230, to position the plate member and its support structure in a desired configuration.

The work platform 10 may further include a plate member 400 attached to the connecting members 120 and 130. In a particular embodiment, the plate member 400 is attached to the pair of second branches 126 and 128 of connecting member 120, and to the pair of second branches 136 and 138 of the connecting member 130, as shown in FIG. 2. The plate member 400 may include a rod 410 connected to the connecting members 120 and 130. Specifically, the rod 410 may be welded, molded, or otherwise connected to the pair of second branches 126 and 128 and to the pair of second branches 136 and 138 of the connecting members 120 and 130. The plate member 400 may also include a pair of plate portions 420 and 422. One plate portion of the pair of plate portions 420 and 422 may be connected to the rod 410. For example, the plate portion 420 may be connected to the rod 410, as shown in FIG. 2. The plate member 400 may further include a hinge mechanism 430. The hinge mechanism 430 may rotatably secure the pair of plate portions 420 and 422 to each other, thereby enabling folding of portions 420 and 422 onto to each other. In alternative embodiments, more than two plate portions may be used, with the plate portions rotatably secured to each other to permit folding of the plate portions onto each other as just described.

The work platform 10 may also include a locking mechanism 500, best shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The locking mechanism 500 may be capable of selectively locking and unlocking the pivotal movement of the support structure 100 about the shaft 300. The locking mechanism 500 may include a push button 510 carried by an end portion of the elongated hollow member 110, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Therefore, the push button 510 may be carried by the hollow section 112 of the elongated hollow member 110. The push button 510 may include a round tab 512 and an elongated tab 514 extending from the round tab 512, as shown in FIG. 3. The round tab 512 may be received within the hollow section 112 and the elongated tab 514 may extend out of the hollow section 112, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, to enable a user to access tab 514.

The locking mechanism 500 may also include at least one spring received within the elongated hollow member 110 and positioned adjacent to a lateral surface of the shaft 300. In the present embodiment, the locking mechanism 500 may include a spring 520 (shown in FIG. 1) received within the hollow section 116 of the elongated hollow member 110 and positioned adjacent to the lateral surface 310 of the shaft 300, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. However, the locking mechanism 500 may also include another spring (not shown) adapted to be received within the hollow section 112 of the elongated hollow member 110 and positioned between the round tab 512 of the push button 510 and the lateral surface 308 of the shaft 300.

The locking mechanism 500 may further include a protrusion 530 extending from the outer surface 306 of the shaft 300, as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, the protrusion 530 may extend from the outer surface 306 of the end portion 302 of the shaft 300. The locking mechanism 500 may also include a pair of first channels 540 and 542 carried by an inner surface 544 of the hollow section 112 of the elongated hollow member 110, as shown in FIG. 3. The locking mechanism 500 may further include a second channel 550 carried by an inner surface 552 of the annular head 212 of the pin 210 adjacent to the hollow section 112, as shown in FIG. 3. The second channel 550 may be in line with one of first channels 540 and 542. Protrusion 530 may be in the form of a key or similar member secured in a notch or slot of the shaft 300 using an interference fit, welding, or any other suitable securement mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 4, in a view “A” showing an enlarged portion of the end of the work platform 10, the shaft protrusion 530 may be received partially in the first channel 540 and partially in the second channel 550 which is in line with the first channel 540. Further, when the protrusion 530 is received partially by the first channel 540 and partially by the second channel 550, the hollow section 112 may be locked, thereby preventing further rotation of section 112 about shaft 300. It may be seen that when pin 210 and its attached annular head 212 are fixedly secured to a structure, and when the protrusion 530 is received partially by the first channel 540 and partially by the second channel 550, rotation of section 112 about shaft 300 and with respect to pin 210 is prevented. Thus, the hollow section 112 may be locked in a desired angular position with respect to pin 210, the annular head 212, thereby preventing further pivotal movement of the support structure 100 about the shaft 300.

Further, when the push button 510 is pressed the shaft 300 may slidably move within the elongated hollow member 110 for unlocking the hollow section 112 from the annular head 212. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, in an enlarged view encircled with a dotted circle B, the protrusion 530 may move from the first channel 540 and may be received completely in the second channel 550, when the push button 510 is pressed. Since protrusion 530 has been removed from first channel 540 and now resides completely within second channel 550, connecting member 120 and the plate member 400 attached thereto are permitted to rotate about shaft 300 to a different angular position. Therefore, the hollow section 112 of the elongated hollow member 110 may be unlocked from the annular head 212, thereby permitting pivotal movement of the support structure 100 about the shaft 300.

First channel 542 corresponds to a second locking position for the plate member and its supporting structure. After the support structure is unlocked, the support structure and plate member may be rotated to an angular position in which second channel 550 is aligned with first channel 542. Further, when the support structure 100 may be pivotally moved, the protrusion 530 may be received partially by the first channel 542, when the second channel 550 may be inline with the first channel 542. Therefore, when second channel 550 is in line with the first channel 542, and when the tab 514 is released by a user, the compressed spring 520 may expand and tend to move the shaft 300 for allowing the protrusion 530 to be received partially in the first channel 542. Accordingly, the hollow section 112 may be locked with the annular head 212 by the protrusion 530, thereby locking the support structure in the new configuration and preventing further pivotal movement of the support structure 100 about the shaft 300. However, the support structure 100 may be again pivotally moved by pressing the push button 510, and thereby unlocking the hollow section 112 from the annular head 212. In alternative embodiments, additional first channels may be provided to enable locking of the support structure in more than two different angular positions.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the work platform 10 may further include a plurality of pin receptacles 610, 620 and 630. In the present embodiment, the pin receptacles 610, 620 and 630 may be expansion grommets. The plurality of pin receptacles 610, 620 and 630 may be adapted to receive the tails 214, 224, and 234, respectively, of the plurality of pins 210, 220 and 230. Further, the plurality of pin receptacles 610, 620 and 630 may be adapted to be associated with a side wall of a bed of a vehicle, for mounting the support structure 100 along with the shaft 300 on the side wall of the vehicle.

Referring now to FIG. 6, for use, the work platform 10 may be adapted to be mounted on a side wall 1002 of a bed 1004 of a vehicle 1000. Specifically, the plurality of pin receptacles 610, 620 and 630 may be adapted to be inserted into to the side wall 1002 of the vehicle 1000. For example, the side wall 1002 of the vehicle 1000 may be configured with a plurality of holes 1006, 1008 and 1010, which may be capable of receiving the plurality of pin receptacles 610, 620 and 630 therein. Accordingly, the tails 214, 224, and 234 of the plurality of pins 210, 220 and 230 may be received by the plurality of pin receptacles 610, 620 and 630, respectively, for mounting the support structure 100 along with the shaft 300 onto the side wall 1002 of the vehicle 1000, as shown in FIG. 7.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the support structure 100 of the work platform 10 may be in a closed position and the pair of plate portions 420 and 422 of the plate member 400 may be in the folded state. Moreover, the pivotal movement of the support structure 100 may be locked by the locking mechanism 500 (as explained in conjunction with FIG. 4). Specifically, the protrusion 530 of the locking mechanism 500 may be received partially by the first channel 540 and the second channel 550, for locking the pivotal movement of the support structure 100 in the closed position.

Thus, the embodiments of the locking mechanism described herein enable the support structure 100 to be locked in any of multiple predetermined angular positions. In at least one locked position, the plate member and its supporting structure reside in a configuration suitable for transport by a vehicle on which the work platform is mounted. In at least one other locked position, the plate member and its supporting structure reside in a configuration suitable for use by a user of the work platform.

Referring now to FIG. 8, in use, an individual may pivotally move (in a direction shown with an arrow C) the support structure 100 to attain an open position. Specifically, the support structure 100 may be unlocked (as explained in conjunction with FIG. 5) for allowing the support structure 100 to pivotally move about the shaft 300. For example, the individual may press the push button 510 for allowing the shaft 300 to slidably move within the elongated hollow member 110, thereby unlocking the support structure 100 and allowing the support structure 100 to move pivotally for attaining the open position. Further, in the open position of the support structure 100 the locking mechanism 500 may lock the pivotal movement of the support structure 100. Specifically, as explained in conjunction with FIG. 5, the protrusion 530 of the locking mechanism 500 may be received partially by the first channel 542 and the second channel 550 (shown in FIG. 3), for locking the pivotal movement of the support structure 100.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the open position of the support structure 100, the pair of plate portions 420 and 422 of the plate member 400 may be allowed to attain the unfolded state. In the unfolded state, the pair of plate portions 420 and 422 may provide a work surface. Specifically, the connecting members 120 and 130 of the support structure 100 may hold the pair of plate portions 420 and 422 substantially horizontal to a ground surface in the unfolded state of the pair of plate portions 420 and 422 and thereby providing the work surface. The term ‘work surface’ used herein refers a stable and a flat work surface configured by the pair of plate portions 420 and 422 of the plate member 400 in the unfolded state thereof, and when the support structure 100 is in open position.

Therefore, the plate member 400 of the work platform 10 may be used for performing plurality of tasks. Specifically, the individual may use the plate member 400 for writing and drawing on a paper, for supporting tools and clamps which may be utilized at a work site, and for preparing food at a campsite. For example, the plate member 400 may be used for supporting a saw clamp, for doing carpentry work. Further, the plate member 400 may include measurement indicia (such as measuring tape) which may enable in taking measurements while working on the plate member 400.

Further, when the individual may be done with the tasks, the work platform 10 may be stored in the vehicle 1000. Specifically, the individual may press the push button 510 for unlocking the support structure 100. Thereafter, the individual may pivotally move (in a direction shown with an arrow D) the support structure 100 for allowing the support structure 100 to attain the closed position, (as shown in FIG. 7). Further, in the closed position the pivotal movement of the support structure 100 may be locked by the locking mechanism 500. Specifically, in the closed position, the protrusion 530 of the locking mechanism 500 may be received partially by the first channel 540 and the second channel 550, for locking the pivotal movement of the support structure 100 (as explained in conjunction with FIG. 4). Moreover, the pair of plate portions 420 and 422 of the plate member 400 may be allowed to attain the folded state for storing the work platform 10 on the vehicle 1000.

Based on the foregoing description of the present disclosure, a work platform, such as the work platform 10, may provide a stable and a flat work surface which may be used for doing plurality of tasks. The work platform may be conveniently mounted on a vehicle and may be easily maneuvered for use. Further, the work platform may be stored on a vehicle bed in a substantially small space after the use thereof.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. 

1. A work platform for a vehicle, the work platform comprising: a support structure comprising an elongated hollow member configured as a plurality of aligned hollow sections spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of connecting members extending from the plurality of hollow sections; a plurality of pins, each pin of the plurality of pins comprising a hollow head and a tail extending from the head, wherein each pin hollow head is received between and aligned with a pair of adjacent hollow sections of the plurality of hollow sections; a shaft received through the aligned hollow sections of the plurality of hollow sections and through the pin hollow heads aligned with the hollow sections; and a plate member carried by the plurality of connecting members, wherein the support structure is rotatable about the shaft.
 2. The work platform of claim 1, wherein the support structure is configured so as to be rotatable to and securable in at least a first angular position associated with to an open configuration of the work platform, and a second angular position different from the first angular position associated with a closed configuration of the work platform.
 3. The work platform of claim 1, wherein the tail of the each pin of the plurality of pins is adapted to be carried by a side wall of a bed of the vehicle for mounting the support structure with the shaft on the side wall of the vehicle, and further comprising a plurality of pin receptacles adapted to be associated with the side wall of the vehicle, wherein each pin receptacle of the plurality of pin receptacles is adapted to receive a respective tail of the plurality of pins for mounting the support structure with the shaft on the side wall of the vehicle.
 4. The work platform of claim 1 wherein the shaft is slidable within a cavity defined by the aligned hollow sections of the plurality of hollow sections and the pin hollow heads aligned with the aligned hollow sections, and wherein the work platform further comprises a locking mechanism configured for selectively locking the support structure to prevent rotatable movement thereof about the shaft the locking mechanism comprising: at least one spring member positioned within the cavity and operatively coupled to the shaft a protrusion extending from an outer surface of the shaft, a push button operatively coupled to the shaft a pair of first channels formed along an inner surface of a rotatable hollow section of the plurality of hollow sections; and a second channel formed along an inner surface of a pin hollow head adjacent the hollow section of the plurality of hollow sections, the second channel being aligned in line with one of the pair of first channels, wherein the protrusion is adapted to be received partially by a first channel of the pair of first channels and partially by the second channel inline with the first channel, for locking the rotatable hollow section of the plurality of hollow sections with respect to the adjacent pin hollow head and thereby locking the pivotal movement of the support structure, and wherein the push button is adapted to be pressed for slidably moving the shaft within the cavity for moving the protrusion from the first channel and allowing the protrusion to be received completely in the second channel, for unlocking the rotatable hollow section of the plurality of hollow sections from the adjacent pin hollow head and thereby unlocking the pivotal movement of the support structure.
 5. The work platform of claim 2, wherein the plate member comprises: a rod connected to the plurality of connecting members, a pair of plate portions, one of the pair of plate portions connected to the rod, and a hinge mechanism hingedly securing the pair of plate portions to each other, the hinge mechanism being configured to permit the pair of plate portions to attain a folded state in the closed configuration of the work platform and an unfolded state in the open configuration of the work platform, wherein the open configuration of the work platform provides the work surface. 